Stronger U.S. Economy Throwing Weight around the Globe

In the wake of the United States’ active 3.7 percent growth in Q4 GDP, and the Federal Reserve’s second cut to its stimulus program, markets around the world are taking it on the chin again today. In the Far East, Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended the day down 2.45 percent, leading the way among losers, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and the Shanghai Composite Index ended the day down 0.48 and 0.82 percent, respectively. In Europe, as I write, England’s FTSE 100 is losing 0.26 percent, with France’s CAC 40 dropping 0.33 percent and Germany’s DAX falling 0.32 percent. Finally, with emerging markets continuing to take a beating, could this situation be the start of another rip-roaring year in the markets for the United States?